Sept 12-16 WAG

September 11, 2011

Dear BCS Families,

The first week is over and as I stand back and reflect, I am very excited about the upcoming year! Our 3-4 Curriculum night was held Thursday and seeing new families at BCS is always refreshing! Please join me in welcoming our new students and families as they begin their journey here at Covington!

A few highlights for the first week:
Schedules:
Teachers, students, and parents have been trying to become familiar with our new schedules this year. Changes such as the Monday and Friday 7/8 electives, 5/6 and 3/4 switching lunches, and moving co-curricular times for all grade levels, have created some confusion and anxiety. I have to give credit to our team and to the students for making it through the first week and having an open mind to these necessary changes!

Please know that the adjustments to our schedules have to do with many dynamics, both building and district wide. A good example of how our schedule flexibility may be limited is how we share co-curricular teachers with other buildings. For example, one of our 3-4 Spanish teachers also teaches at Berkshire and Derby Middle Schools. These various dynamics come into play when scheduling our staff and will sometimes limit us on the classes we can offer at various times. If you have any questions regarding our new schedules, please feel free to contact me.

Parking Lot:

The first week seemed to go very well in our new parking lot. If you have not experienced the parking lot yet, but plan on picking up or dropping off your child soon, you may see a short video on the new procedures at http://www.adamhartleybcs.blogspot.com/

Please scroll down under last week’s WAG to see the video.

BCS Team

I would like to express my thanks to our BCS team. Teachers, office staff, custodians, choice hour staff, etc…- THANK YOU for your hard work to make our first week a week to remember!

G.E.E.K.ed and Tweaked

Please join us in advocating for our students to ask questions, reflect on the process of learning, and be empowered to make their own decisions. Here at BCS we want our learners to ask questions about what they are learning, why they are learning it, and how it connects to making their world a better place…

This week, Ms. Share and Mrs. Cruz introduced a new 7/8 elective here at BCS. Global Literacy will connect our students with Seaholm Flex students as they collaborate in publishing online information for a global audience. Global Literacy will focus on 21st Century teaching and learning as it relates to the world of publishing. Ms. Share and Mrs. Cruz have truly Tweaked and G.E.E.K.ed this elective to prepare our learners for the future by providing them real and relevant experiences!!

9/11

We will conduct a moment of silence on Monday in honor of those who were lost ten years ago on this tragic day. Teachers may have various grade appropriate discussions with their classes as well. Feel free to have a conversation with your child about the events of that day as many of them were not born…

The following links have been sent to the classroom teachers- You may want to use these as well if you are looking for resources (Thank you to Bingham Farms Principal- Russ Facione!):

http://www.brainpop.co.uk/humanities/historymodern/september11th/

An overall menu of items for Patriots Day (Sept 11th)

http://www.apples4theteacher.com/holidays/911/

Patriot Day Printables

http://www.apples4theteacher.com/holidays/911/printables/

The ABC’s of Patriotism- Lots of activities and printable to reinforce the Core Democratic Values of Patriotism.

http://www.abcteach.com/directory/theme_units/us_patriotism/

From Scholastic- Activities for younger children

http://teacher.scholastic.com/scholasticnews/indepth/911/teachers/activities.htm

3 E’s @ BCS

Please help us keep our character education on the forefront as we know it is our character that counts!

Education, Environment, Each Other…Our Moral Compass!

BCS Families- Welcome Back and thank you for your continued support in this journey we call learning!

G.E.E.K.ed about Leading,


Adam


WEEK AT A GLANCE – Week of September 12-16, 2011

(Disclaimer: Please check all your calendars and bcsonline.info in case we missed something)



 To submit an item for next week’s “WAG”, email mz07bps@birmingham.k12.mi.us by THURSDAY 11PM


Monday, September 12

• 6:45-8 AM 7-8 Girls Basketball Try-outs

• 7-8 AM Cross Country Practice

• 11:00am PTSA Clearinghouse Management Committee Meeting

• 4:05-6PM-7-8 Boys Soccer Practice

Tuesday, September 13

• 6:45-8 AM 7-8 Girls Basketball Try-outs

• 7-8 AM Cross Country Practice

• 3:15-5:15PM-7-8 Boys Soccer Practice

Wednesday, September 14

• Smile…..it’s PICTURE DAY at BCS. Every student will have their picture taken today. You can purchase pictures online or by using the picture order form. Read further down for important information

• 6:45-8 AM 7-8 Girls Basketball Try-outs

• 7 AM Cross Country TEAM Pictures

• 7-8 AM Cross Country Practice

• FIRST POPCORN DAY-BRING $ 1 Freshly popped popcorn is sold during choice hour for $1 in the main hall

• 4:05-6PM-7-8 Boys Soccer Practice-TEAM PICTURE DAY

• 7 PM- PROUD DADS 7-8 GIRLS TENNIS CLUB MEETING-MEDIA CENTER

• 7:00pm BCS Webmasters Team Meeting- No experience is necessary to join, just an interest in updating and enhancing our website www.bcsonline.info. Please join us in the Media Center

Thursday, September 15

• 6:45-8 AM 7-8 Girls Basketball Try-outs

• 3:15-5:15PM-7-8 Boys Soccer Practice

• 3:15 CHOICE HOUR Cross Country Practice

• 4:15pm 6-8 Cross Country - Parent Meeting Room101

• 6:00pm PTSA Curriculum Refreshments & Chat for 5/6

• 6:30pm 5/6 Back to School Night - Curriculum Presentations

Friday, September 16

• 6:45-8 AM 7-8 Girls Basketball Try-outs

• 7-8 AM Cross Country Practice-optional

• 3:20pm 7-8 Girls Basketball - Parent Meeting

• 4:00pm Deadline to Change Q1 Choice Hour classes

• 4:05-6PM-7-8 Boys Soccer Practice

• 6 PM Boys Soccer Team Parent Meeting

• 6:30pm Ice Cream Social

Hot Entrée menu for the week: (subject to change, if necessary)

- Available everyday: Salad Bar, Hamburgers, Chicken Patties, Pizza & Cheese Breadsticks

Monday – Whole Grain Pancakes or French Toast,Sausage,Fresh Fruit,BBQ Chicken Pizza

Tuesday – Whole Wheat Penne with Chicken and Alfredo,Garlic toast,Steamed Brocoli,Nachos Supreme

Wednesday – Home-Style Turkey w/Gravy,Mashed Potatoes,Stemed Green Beans,Hawiian Pizza

Thursday – BBQ Chicken w/Mac &Cheese,Flavorful Baked Beans,Beef Enchilada

Friday – Grilled Chicken or Veggie Caesar Wrap.Pasta Salad,Steamed Carrots,Meat Lover’s Pizza



PLEASE SCROLL DOWN FOR IMPORTANT FAMILY, SCHOOL AND COMMUNITY INFORMATION

NOTES:

3/4 SWIM & GYM SCHEDULE for 1st Marking Period

Harvath and Maliszewski homerooms will be in SWIM CLASS until Thursday, Oct 6th students should be prepared with swimsuits and towels.

Butzin, Frishman, Davis, Seley, Parkin, and Wallington will be in GYM CLASS until Thursday, Oct 6th – students should be prepared with gym shoes .

ATHLETICS UPDATE

CROSS COUNTRY is off and running… The parent meeting will be held Thursday, 9/15 at 4:15 PM in room 101.

GIRLS BASKETBALL TRYOUTS start Monday at 6:45 AM. You must have an orange slip to try out.

BOYS SOCCER is underway! The Team is still looking for 7 / 8 grade boys who are interested in playing. The parent meeting will be Friday 9/16 6 PM after practice-check with Coach Mat Brown for more details mb06bps@birmingham.k12.mi.us

FALL PICTURE DAY

Online ordering is available 24/7 beginning right now at www.schoolpictures.com. The BCS school code is AA0201. You select the background, picture packet and submit payment on the web – there is nothing your child has to bring to school. If online orders are placed before picture day, the photographers will know your background selection. The online ordering period is open through midnight, September 13.

The picture order form was provided in the packet picked up at registration. Extra forms are available in the office. Please send the completed picture form and payment in with your child. Your child will give the order form directly to the photographer.

We are in need of 5 – 10 parent volunteers to assist the photographers. We need volunteers for 2+ hour blocks or for the entire time. The blocks are 8:20-10:30AM and 10:30AM-1 PM. Volunteers will receive a $22 credit towards one portrait package. Please email Nancy Best with your availability at nb01bps@birmingham.k12.mi.us to volunteer.

CHOICE HOUR ANNOUNCEMENTS

The 1st Quarter Choice Hour program is IN FULL SWING!. Choice Hour student selections are posted on the Choice Hour board in the main hallway and in each homeroom.

The change and refund deadline for QI Choice Hour is Friday September 16th! Choice Hour class change request forms can be found in the front office!! All approved QI Choice Hour changes will go into effect on Monday September 19th.

Questions regarding the Choice Hour program should be directed to Linda Stone at 248-203-4625 or ls06bps@birmingham.k12.mi.us. Questions regarding Choice Hour schedules should be directed to Jennifer Brown at 248-203-4426 or jb18bps@birmingham.k12.mi.us

INFORMATION ABOUT 3 /4 ENGAGE

In Engage34, your students will be using the software Audacity for several projects. Many students really enjoy this software and love to record their voice and hear it playback. We would like your child to be able to play with this software at home to become familiar with it. It's a free download from:

http://audacity.sourceforge.net/ (You want to download the application and the LAME MP3 encoder.)

If you would like to know more about using this program, just search Google with the keywords “audacity tutorial” and you will find a bunch. Or, visit our howto wiki.

http://howto.wikis.birmingham.k12.mi.us/Audacity

Enjoy!

Engage34 Teachers

IMPORTANT INFORMATION from SODEXO FOOD SERVICES

Effective September 6th, 2011 we will be implementing an alternative lunch program for those students who are at a negative balance exceeding $5.00 in the elementary schools and $5.50 in the secondary schools.

The student will be given the option to have: a milk, a cheese stick and a fresh whole piece of fruit. The student will only be allowed to have an alternative lunch for 5 days.

Please contact David Andrejko if you have any questions

General Manager Sodexo / Birmingham Public Schools248 203 3965



YEARBOOK ORDERING INFORMATION

Please remind parents that they can order yearbooks AND Proud Parent ads online this year. Go to http://bcsonline.info/Parent_Resources/Yearbooks.html for more information. Online price of only $35 for a yearbook ends November 18, 2011. Deadline for Proud Parent ads is January 22, 2012.

FIRST LEGO LEAGUE

This is a Lego Robotics team that competes with area schools. A theme is presented and the team is scored on three parts: research and presentation, team cooperation, and accuracy of the robot in completing tasks. Our first meeting will be at 4:05 on Monday September 12, 2011 in the Lego Robotics classroom. All students in grades 3-8 are welcome. These meetings will be held in the Lego Robotics choice hour classroom on Mondays from 4:05-6:00. There will be no bus service home. The competition will take place (most likely) in Flint on a Saturday in November. Please email newdawnagain@yahoo.com with any questions you may have.

PROUD DADS TENNIS

BCS Proud Dads Tennis Lessons will be again offered at the Birmingham Racquet Club Saturday classes will run at 6pm from September 24 to November 12 The cost is $96 These classes are for beginning and intermediate players grades 3-6 Capacity is limited. Students will be registered when they return form(attached) , payment and waiver

http://www.bcsonline.info/Documents/Registration/17_Proud_Dads_Athletics_Parental_Approval_Form.pdf



A parent organizational meeting for a PROUD DADS GIRLS TENNIS CLUB is scheduled for 7pm Tuesday September 13 in the BCS Media Center. The girls tennis club is for 7/8 Girls with tennis experience. Girls will have 2 afterschool practices per week and several additional opportunities for match play against each other or in exhibition with local middle school teams. The cost of the 6 week program is estimated to be $150. Capacity will likely be limited to 12 girls unless we find additional courts.

Any questions about either activity can be directed to me, Pam Graham. 248.645.5328 (home) or bcstennis2011@gmail.com

BCS MULCH DAY - SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 24th

Summer is officially on the wane and it’s time for a bit of gardening at BCS. We pride ourselves on being the school where parents give more than almost anywhere else. Sometimes that involves putting on work gloves and getting wood chips in our shoes. Don't look now, but it’s one of those times once again.

We need volunteers (at least 20!) to come out at 9:00am on Saturday, September 24 with rakes, brooms and wheelbarrows to spread mulch on our two gardens. With a decent turnout (did I mention that at least 20 would be good?), we should be done by noon. Just in time to watch your favorite team play football.

Please reply to Mike Anderson with your intentions to come out and help at mike@mccanco.com. Please don't leave it to the other guy to do all the heavy lifting. Let's show up, share the load and get it done for BCS.

Look forward to seeing you there.



NOTE TO BCS/BPS FAMILY AND FRIENDS

Comcast has introduced a program called Comcast Internet Essentials. This offer is for any BPS students receiving free lunches (not reduced lunches) through the National School Lunch Program. In an effort to bridge the “Digital Divide” it provides:

Home Internet Access for $9.95 per month

An Optional Netbook Computer for $149.00

Free Internet Training – Online, Print

Comcast has launched the program and is now accepting applications.

For more information, see the Comcast website:

http://internetessentials.com/

BCS Town Hall Meetings

The first day was a great day at BCS!
Thank you for being patient during drop off and pick up.  The new parking lot seems to be working well!

The BCS team did a great job in leading the way to make September 6, 2011 a memorable one.  On the first day, we hold town hall meetings with the students.  This year I talked about the three E's we focus on here at BCS (Education, Each Other and Environment).  I asked the students to close their eyes and think about something they are really good at...could be anything...but had to be something they excel in.  I then asked them to think about something they are not so good at...something they have tried to do or continue to try doing and just cannot seem to get it right.
After a few minutes of thinking- I asked them to share these thoughts with a friend.  (try it)

We then discussed the 3 E's and how they relate to learning and leadership.

Each Other- Respect, trust, teamwork...they shared information with people they trusted.  It takes guts to tell someone you are really bad at something.  Respecting each other and having empathy allows for our learners to be transparent and honest about their learning.  It allows everyone on the team to one, admit failure, and two, help each other work at their "failures" to make them successes.  Being a leader is being a good listener and making the people around you better.  The goal for our students is to not laugh at the faults of others, but to embrace the diverse learning styles, talents, and areas of improvement in order to work as a team.

Education- This activity showcased the many talents our students have....some said they are good readers, some are good baseball players...everyone was able to talk about what they excel in.  It also showed how each of us learn differently and possess various skill sets.  I asked the students to think about why they were good at that particular skill or activity.  What things did they do to allow them to draw, read, or play baseball great?  Practice, determination, perseverance...

I then told our students that the adults here at BCS will NOT settle for "I can't do that".
We prefer..."I can't do that yet".  If we take the steps we followed to become great at something and applied the same mindset to everything we do, we will always improve and grow in all areas of life.

Environment- I challenged our students to take their leadership and learning outside of our walls.  It is their world we live in- they are the leaders in making our world a better place.  BCS is committed to connecting our work with the work of others outside of the organization.  Students are empowered to take on the challenges of leading the way by using their knowledge and skills each and every day.
I asked our students to be leaders within the community by sharing what they have learned about the environment so others can be leaders.

The 3 E's...our moral compass.

Looking forward to the year!
Adam

Welcome Back- W.A.G. Sept 6-9, 2011

BCS

“Week At a Glance”

September 6-9, 2011

WELCOME BACK!

Welcome back to BCS! It has been a hot and relaxing summer for many of us but the excitement is in the air!  Learning is something we all have in common.  We can all learn, we can all help each other learn, and here at BCS, we are all expected to learn.  There are non-negotiables for our students when it comes to learning.  The Birmingham Public School District has a rigorous and challenging curriculum our teachers are not only expected to teach, but teach well.  There are skills, facts, and procedures BCS students will learn depending on their grade, their abilities, and the time of year.  This happens in every school, within every city in America.  This routine of learning begins after Labor Day and ends sometime in mid to late June.  The team at BCS (which includes you) is determined to continue to be successful within this routine of learning as long as the normal state and local expectations are present.  We continue to maintain an excellent record of student achievement and have been recognized throughout the state as a high performing school.   

We firmly believe, however, BCS has and will continue to be an organization always looking to do things better.  Our students are encouraged to ask questions, challenge the status quo, and connect their learning with the real world.  We place that same high expectation on ouselves and the BCS staff.  We are inviting you to join us this year to begin looking at education through a different lens.  A lens of creativity, customization of learning, and through a global lens that will ultimately break down any walls the normal routines of learning have built to hold our young learners from going beyond what is expected of them.  BCS will continue to lead the way in breaking out of the learning routine called “school”.  Last year, we showed glimpses of transformation as our staff tweaked lessons by incorporating the G.E.E.K.ed (Global Education Engaging Kids) mindset by engaging our learners through purposeful technology integration and global connections.  

We welcome you back to not the routine of learning, but to the BCS hub of learning, where students, staff, and parents will work together to prepare our learners to be leaders in this ever-changing world.

G.E.E.K.ed about Leading,

Adam and Patricia

Parking Lot (PLEASE WATCH VIDEO)

Please watch this short video on our new parking lot procedures.  It is much different from our parking lot in previous years.  There are two drop off/pick up areas divided by a sidewalk.  One off of Covington Rd. and one off of Quarton Rd.  New...improved...safe!!

http://www.adamhartleybcs.blogspot.com/

Registration:

Registration went very smoothly as Nancy Best, Mary Baughman, Jennifer Brown and their team made sure everyone completed the process. BCS is committed to be family friendly and our registration process proves that we have your best interest in mind!  If you have yet to register your child, please see Nancy Best in the front office on the first day of school.

Lockers:

Mr. Burdick and Mrs. Nast continue to work hard on the BCS locker list!  We appreciate how each family has handled the locker issues they may have encountered and thank you in advance for your patience.  Please remind your child that if there is a problem on the first day to please let their homeroom teacher know.

Bus Families:

We will continue making sure that our youngest learners are comfortable at BCS and on the bus.  Bus Families, led by Ms. Sivwright, groups students by their bus numbers and pairs them up with older students that ride the same bus.  Activities such as “Get to know you” will allow for our older learners to become familiar with the younger learners that ride the same bus.  The program continues to help make the first week of school a smooth transition for our 3^rd and 4^thgrade students. 

Allergies:

The welcome back packet included information regarding allergies at BCS but it is important to reiterate how important it is that we know about the allergies your son or daughter may have.  We are not a nut free school but have taken many precautions so all of our students can feel safe.  BCS does have nut free tables at lunch and we have allowed classrooms to be nut free if they include students with severe nut allergies. If you have a concern, please call or email me so we can work together to assure that your child is safe at BCS.  

Thank You:

Over the course of the summer, when many of us are relaxing and being recharged, there are team members that are here working hard and preparing for the upcoming school year.  I would like to thank the office staff and our custodial staff for making sure our first week will go smoothly.  The building looks great, even though we hosted summer school well into August!  Nancy Best, Mary Baughman, Meli Zakakas and Jennifer Brown have done a great job in preparing for the upcoming year!  

BCS has an amazing group of parents that continue to help make BCS a great place to be.  Thank you for your continued support and the hard work you put into your child’s education.  It is a pleasure to have you on our team!

Reaching our Community:

We are committed to communicate in effective and efficient ways here at BCS.  Please pick one or all communication portals we use to keep up on important information regarding your child’s experience at BCS.

BCS facebook:

http://www.facebook.com/pages/BCS/181749138514777

Principal’s Blog:

http://www.adamhartleybcs.blogspot.com/

Twitter:

www.twitter.com

bcscovington

BPS website:

www.birmingham.k12.mi.us

BCS website (created and run by BCS parents!):

www.bcsonline.info

*Please remember your child’s teacher will also have websites and blogs to communicate specifically with their families.

WEEK AT A GLANCE –   Week of September 5-9, 2011

(Disclaimer:  Please check all your calendars and bcsonline.info in case we missed something)

 To submit an item for next week’s “WAG”, email mz07bps@birmingham.k12.mi.us  by  THURSDAY 11PM

Tuesday, September 6

• 8-9:30AM - PTSA Welcome Back Coffee for parents in the Media Center
• The cafeteria is offering full lunch service today.  
• If you are uncertain which days your child is signed up for choice hour, please check the choice hour board located to the right of the Media Center (300Hall) for his/her choice hour schedule.
• 7PM Board of Education Meeting at the Administration Bldg.

Wednesday, September 7

• 9:15-10:15AM 5/6 Room Parent Meeting-Media Center

Thursday, September 8

• 9AM  Friends of Different Learners-Staff Development Room 
• 3:15-4:05 Choice Hour-First Cross Country Practice for 6-8^th grade students with completed paperwork
• 6PM 3 /4 Curriculum Night Met and Greet and Refreshments
• 6:30 PM 3 /4 Teacher Presentations

Friday, September 9

• We Made it!!

Hot Entrée menu for the week:  (subject to change, if necessary)

-          Available everyday: Salad Bar, Hamburgers, Chicken Patties, Pizza & Cheese Breadsticks

Monday – Labor Day Holiday

Tuesday – Chicken Parmesan,Steamed carrots,Garlic bread,Cheese Quesadilla 

Wednesday – Chicken/Vegggie StirFry,Brown Rice,Oriental Vegetables,Supreme Pizza

Thursday – Baked Chicken Drummies,Au Gratin Potatoes,California Blend, Zesty Beef Burrito

Friday – Bacon Cheeseburger,Oven Roasted Potatoes,Fresh Peas&Carrots,Chicken Fajita Pizza

Notes

From the Student Handbook

Can I bring a personal gaming device to school?

A student may possess a personal gaming device (ex. PSP, GameBoy, etc.) in school, on school property, at after school activities and at school-related functions, provided that during school hours the device remains off and located in their locker unless the student has express permission from their teacher or the office to use the device.

Can I bring my laptop to school?

Students are permitted to bring a personal computing device (ex. lap top, netbook, iPad, iPod Touch, etc.) to school for educational purposes.  Students must abide by the acceptable technology use requirements when using a personal computing device on school property.  These devices are not to be used to play games.  These items should be locked in your locker if you are not using them as it is your responsibility to keep track of these items.  BCS cannot be responsible for the loss or damage of such items.

The use of a personal computing device by a student is a privilege, which may be revoked by the school if a student misuses this privilege. 

BCS Allowing Customized Learning Tools.

As we prepare for upcoming learning opportunities here at BCS, we are mindful of the desire to maximize our learning tools in a way that enables our students to best learn and grow in a customized way.  In the spirit of leading the way in technology integration, we would like to approach a model that allows our students to use personal learning devices, that is, to enable every child dedicated access to their own digital device throughout the course of the school day and at home.

A “personal learning device” refers to a laptop computer, ipad, itouch, Microsoft tablet, or other hand-held device that connects to the internet and allows for customization of each child’s learning (calendar, email, connection to classroom wikis, global connections, etc).

This is NOT a requirement but simply an invitation for our learners to use tools they are used to having in their hands as they learn.  This should not be confused with digital tools used strictly for gaming or non school activities.  If you have a question regarding a device or the appropriateness of bringing a lap top or other device to school, please feel free to call your child’s teacher or Principal Adam Hartley.  

BCS Lunchroom- A Place to Interact with Peers!

Please note students will not be allowed to bring gaming devices to the lunchroom this year.  We have found that by allowing these devices, we are limiting our students’ opportunities to interact with one another and use our media center and/or playground.   Personal learning devices within the classroom advocate for customized learning, however, we have found gaming devices (Nintendo DS, PS3, etc...) limits interaction during the short period of time our students are together for lunch.

Our lunchroom aides will have the key responsibility to advocate for character education discussions, physical activity inside and out, and school appropriate play during this time.

We will continue to conduct special game days for special occasions.

PE Information for 3 /4 Team  for  1^st  Marking Period

Tuesday, September 6 through Thursday, October 6: 

Harvath and Maliszewski will SWIM. 

Butzin, Frishman, Davis, Seley, Parkin, and Wallington will be in the GYM.

Athletics   Information  

Cross Country

Practices are in the morning for one hour from 7-8 and on Thursdays during Choice Hour.  Friday is optional.  We usually run one meet a week and the races can vary from 1.6-2.8 miles. This year's season starts on September 8th during Choice Hour.

All runners must have an updated physical and the correct paper work completed on-line before any student can participate.  This paperwork can be found on our very own BCS website.   Please e-mail me the name of your child that is interested in joining this rewarding experience.  Your child has the opportunity to be a part of their very first middle school team!!!! 

Let me know if you have any questions.

Coach Angela Geisler

Ag03bps@birmingham.k12.mi.us

Choice Hour Announcements

The 1^st Quarter Choice Hour program is in place for the first day of school.  Choice Hour student selections are posted on the Choice Hour board in the main hallway and in each homeroom. 

The change and refund deadline for QI Choice Hour is Friday September 16^th!  Choice Hour class change request forms can be found in the front office!!  All approved QI Choice Hour changes will go into effect on Monday September 19^th.   

Questions regarding the Choice Hour program should be directed to Linda Stone at 248-203-4625 orls06bps@birmingham.k12.mi.us.  Questions regarding Choice Hour schedules should be directed to Jennifer Brown at 248-203-4426 or jb18bps@birmingham.k12.mi.us .

Thank you for supporting the Choice Hour program! 

Webmasters

The BCS Webmasters Committee invites all interested parents to their next meeting on Wednesday, Sept. 14 at 7pm.    No experience is necessary to join, just an interest in updating and enhancing our websitewww.bcsonline.info. Please join us in the Media Center.

News from the Joberts Team

Chance S. will be leading a class at the Robot Garage in Birmingham on Saturday Sept 10th from 9am-11am.  It is a free Lego workshop for those who register early.  Chance will demonstrate how he built his special Lego guy.  Kids can build for free, purchase kits or buy what they build.  As you can imagine, he is crazy excited.  Do register if you think its something your kids would enjoy.  www.therobotgarage.com

Note to BCS/BPS Family and Friends

Comcast has introduced a program called Comcast Internet Essentials.  This offer is for any BPS students receiving free lunches (not reduced lunches) through the National School Lunch Program.  In an effort to bridge the “Digital Divide” it provides:
Home Internet Access for $9.95 per month
An Optional Netbook Computer for $149.00
Free Internet Training – Online, Print
Comcast has launched the program and is now accepting applications.
For more information, see the Comcast website:

http://internetessentials.com/

Parking Lot Video

Worth Looking @

http://internetessentials.com/
Comcast is offering low cost Internet and computers to families that receive free and reduced lunch.
BCS encourages our learners to have a personal learning device whether it is borrowed from us or you bring your own.

If you qualify for free and reduced lunch, please look at this offer.

G.E.E.K.ed about Leading,

Adam

BCS Registration

Looking forward to seeing you at registration.
August 17th and August 24th.
9 a.m. - 12 p.m.
5 p.m. - 7 p.m.

Parking lot will be open.

LEARN This Summer!!!!